UCLA BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK: BAD DIRECTION FOR BRUINS?

Byline: Jill Painter

Staff Writer

There's something about heading East that doesn't agree with UCLA.

Whether it's the chilly weather, jetlag, time change or all of the above, the Bruins have a tough time collecting wins east of the Mississippi River.

The No. 8 Bruins (10-1) travel to Michigan today, which has all the makings of a UCLA rout. The Wolverines (4-7) are struggling, but coach John Beilein (formerly at West Virginia) is in his first season and is charged with returning Michigan to greatness.

Last year, UCLA lost to WestVirginia 70-65, but Darren Collison was injured and didn't play and Russell Westbrook struggled in his first start.

The last time UCLA played at Michigan in 2004-05, the Bruins lost 68-61.

Also that season, UCLA played in the NIT Season Tipoff in New York and lost to Memphis 88-80, then beat Drexel.

In 2004, UCLA traveled to Michigan State, where it lost 76-64.

Alfred Aboya doesn't think any of those factors play a role in wins and losses.

"It doesn't really matter," Aboya said. "It's still the game of basketball. Every time we're playing and step on the court we have to bring energy and passion so you can come out with a win. It's just another part of it. We've had three days to be ready and rested."

Aboya is from Cameroon, where it never gets colder than 60degrees, he said. But, he said he's still used to cold weather from his prep school days in New Hampshire.

This year, UCLA won the CBE Classic, with the semifinals and finals in Kansas City, Mo.

Josh Shipp, for one, said it's definitely tough for him to deal with the cold weather since he loves the beach. And he thinks there's something to be said for the other elements involved in a game at Michigan.

"It's definitely an advantage to the other team," Shipp said. "They get to sleep in their own beds. They're used to the weather. It's definitely a hostile environment."

Before the Bruins left, Westbrook said he had planned to go shopping to buy a beanie cap and other various apparel to help him keep warm. Shipp bought a pair of snow boots that he uses only on UCLA's trips to cold-weather states.

Players said they spend most of their time in the hotel, anyway.

In a zone

Beilein led West Virginia to a 70-65 win over UCLA last year and a 60-56 win the previous year at Pauley Pavilion. His 1-3-1 zone has frustrated the Bruins, and he's running a similar defense at Michigan. The Bruins' struggles against zones have been well-documented.

"We've worked hard on it in practice," Aboya said of the Bruins' preparation for a zone. "The offense is coming along and hopefully, this will be a breakthrough game."

Weather report

If Shipp wants up-to-the-minute weather reports, he can call his older sister, Brittney, who's a weather anchor in Phoenix. Shipp hasn't seen any of her newscasts but said she was going to bring tapes home for Christmas.

"I'm looking forward to it," Shipp said. "I'm happy for her."

Brittney graduated from UCLA with a degree in sociology.

Also

UCLA had an early wakeup call as it practiced at 10 a.m. at Crisler Arena in Michigan, which is 7 a.m. Pacific time. -- The big news in Michigan is the recent hire of Rich Rodriguez, who was introduced Monday as the team's football coach. Rodriguez and Beilein were both hired from West Virginia in the past year.

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Alfred Aboya doesn't believe playing East of the Mississippi River is a detriment to UCLA. "It doesn't really matter," he says.

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images